Pune-Mumbai Expressway: A Growing Danger Zone with Over 80 Fatalities Annually
Pune, 2nd June 2025: The Pune-Mumbai Expressway, also known as the Yashwantrao Chavan Expressway, is becoming increasingly infamous for its high number of accidents and fatalities. This crucial transport link in Maharashtra witnesses more than 80 driver deaths every year, according to data from the highway police.
In the last five years, the expressway has seen between 150 and 200 accidents annually, with over 100 drivers suffering serious injuries. These alarming figures have sparked widespread concern regarding the safety of travelers using this important corridor, which many are now calling a “death trap.”
Main Causes of Accidents
Authorities have pinpointed several contributing factors to the frequent crashes:
Vehicles traveling well above speed limits
Neglecting to wear seat belts
Ignoring traffic signs and signals
Delayed or insufficient vehicle maintenance
Overloading vehicles beyond permitted capacity
Unauthorized parking along the highway
Dangerous overtaking
Poor visibility during foggy conditions
Inexperienced drivers struggling with difficult terrain
Measures Taken to Enhance Safety
To address the rising toll, highway police have introduced safety measures such as putting up informative signboards at accident-prone locations and deploying around 40 personnel to monitor traffic within Pune’s jurisdiction. However, challenges remain as many drivers continue to flout traffic rules, and vehicle malfunctions are common.
“Most accidents result from careless driving and poorly maintained vehicles. We strongly urge drivers to obey traffic laws and keep their vehicles in good condition to reduce accidents,” said Vikrant Deshmukh, Superintendent of Highway Police, Pune Division.
Commuters’ Concerns
Frequent users of the expressway are increasingly anxious about the dangers on this route. According to one of the daily commuters, “I travel here regularly and often see reckless driving—speeding, sudden lane changes, and blatant violations. Nighttime is especially risky with drunk drivers on the road. Sometimes, I worry about reaching home safely. Authorities need to move beyond data collection to enforce stricter controls like more CCTV cameras, speed cameras, and harsher penalties.”
